lessons learned from hosting a social meditation retreat at my house

Attendee behavior:

• few will register early (weeks in advance)
• some will register a week or two before the retreat
• some will register a day in advance or the day of
• some will not register (and will just show up)
• some will register, not pay, and not show up
• some will register, pay, and participate only part of the retreat
• some will register in advance, pay, then not show up

I had 22 attendees Friday evening, 13 on Saturday, and 12 on Sunday.

Due in part to the above fluctuations, I bought too much food. 

The attendee fee was $75. I thought ahead and had change (many $5) since most attendees paying cash had 4x$20. Half the attendees paid using Venmo. 

The number of (facilitators, coordinators, speakers, hosts, guests) versus number of attendees is an important ratio since costs is bore by attendees and not all will be able to pay.  With 13 participants, I collected money from 6 people.

Refunding people who had paid and then didn't participate further decreased money available for food.

The speaker was ok with any amount of money paid. After paying him $240, then $300 was requested.